"Principal, actually I'm not really someone who likes to be in the spotlight. How about we just skip the speech under the flag next week?" Lin Li tentatively suggested.
Saying this in front of the entire school, the seventeen-year-old boy couldn't handle it. This was even more embarrassing than telling the whole class about his recent dream of being hugged from both sides.
Headache. Principal Wang really had a headache right now.
Lin Li hadn't mentioned it, and Wang had almost forgotten about it. Now everything was ruined—every plan had been thrown off course.
Should the public account still post? Should the announcement still be put up? Should the interview still be arranged?
After doing this, could he really advance in his career path, or would he just become the laughingstock among his friends?
He thought he had done something bold, but now it seemed like he'd made a big mess.
Damn, why did he announce Lin Li over the loudspeaker just now? He regretted it so quickly! Now, all the first- and second-year students would be curious about what this 'Lin Li' did. If only he had quietly asked Xue Jian to bring Lin Li here.
"Since you feel embarrassed, I will respect your wishes. If you really don't want to go on stage, then forget about it," Principal Wang said, patting the stick and starting to climb down, nodding with a smile.
The Principal was scared? He seemed more reluctant to see that moment than Lin Li himself. Lin Li wasn't afraid!
"You treat me like a national hero, and I will repay you as one! It's fine, Principal! Since you think it's necessary, how could I care about my face? I will take the speech!" Lin Li said loudly, moved.
Principal: "?"
Who the hell needs you to repay like this, who the hell treated you like a national hero?
Don't be sensible when it's unnecessary!
"No, no, no, no——" Principal Wang quickly waved his hand, "I looked at the weather forecast, and the Monday morning meeting should be canceled. We'll talk about this later. Later."
Sweating profusely, dude, even if it doesn't rain, the morning meeting would be canceled next Monday, maybe all the way to the end of this semester or even until the end of his tenure.
"No, I want to speak!" Lin Li's voice was firm.
"No, you don't want to speak!" The principal's voice was equally strong.
Due to the proximity, Yang Liang could see the slight smile on Lin Li's face.
This kid was clearly playing a prank, but Yang Liang felt more sympathy for Lin Li. It must be exhausting to constantly wear this mask to hide his true feelings.
Lin Li got goosebumps from this gaze. Why was Yang Liang still acting like a gentle, mature male figure?
"Sister Sun, maybe you should just give in to him," Lin Li muttered under his breath.
"To prevent Lin Li from possibly facing retaliation, it's not really suitable to talk about this in public for now," Sun Ying said, finally saving the sweating Principal Wang.
"Well, that's too bad. However, Nansang High School will definitely cooperate well with the police's arrangements," said the principal, still smiling with the Nike logo on his face, wiping the sweat from his forehead and breathing a sigh of relief.
Sun Ying then turned to Lin Li.
"Lin Li, for our publicity purposes, we still need to take a few photos. Your case will also be recorded. Um, but don't worry, in the article that will be published, your appearance will be pixelated, and we'll use an alias. Also... we'll only briefly describe your role in collecting evidence and reporting."
As long as it's not revealed that Lin Li was one of the clients that day, even after those people are released, they wouldn't be able to trace it back to him.
Of course, the main reason was that the Demon Suppression Division couldn't afford to lose someone like him.
"Okay." Lin Li nodded. "But could my alias be Xiao Li?"
"Ah? Why?" Sun Ying asked, a little curious.
"Because my nickname is Li Feiyu," Lin Li said seriously.
"That's fine, I'll just note it down," Sun Ying nodded casually, then said, "But Lin Li, we need you to take two photos with us, one holding the banner, and another holding the reward. Please cooperate."
"Sure."
Lin Li nodded, took the banner handed to him by Yang Liang, shook it, and spread it out on the coffee table.
[Pioneer of Anti-Vice]
Lin Li: "…"
Heavens above, I didn't mean to betray you.
The principal, who had originally wanted to ask if he could join the photo, was now relieved that he didn't say anything.
"This is a double-sided banner. If you don't like it, there's another side," Yang Liang said at this moment.
On the back was [Heroic Youth].
The principal sighed with relief. Thankfully, there was an alternative, and even an idiot would know which one to choose.
"Let's keep the Anti-Vice one," Lin Li immediately flipped it back.
Principal: "?"
Damn, how is there really an idiot?
Lin Li actually just thought the Heroic Youth one was too ordinary. Anyway, his face would be pixelated, and his name would be changed to Xiao Li. The Anti-Vice Pioneer looked so cool.
Principal Wang pondered, wondering how his school produced such talent.
Xue Jian was even more confused—how did this student end up under his guidance?
Sun Ying didn't care. Anti-Vice was one of their main jobs, and this was just a title; nothing to be ashamed of. Otherwise, they wouldn't print it.
It could even attract some attention and provide an opportunity for knowledge promotion.
"Principal, aren't you going to join the photo?" Sun Ying kindly asked Principal Wang.
The principal awkwardly waved his hand: "I'm a man of few desires, I'll just take the photo for you. Xue Jian, could you stand next to Lin Li?"
"I'm also indifferent to fame, I'll be the second angle," Xue Jian firmly refused.
So, the two Demon Suppression officers stood on either side of Lin Li.
After the banner photo was taken, Lin Li eagerly awaited the red envelope.
Damn, 3699!
He could go to Qingjue Wellness Center for an emperor-level service in three days!
A full ten Spring Wind Sprites (Li Kui molds)!
"The 3300 is the bonus we applied for, the remaining 399 is your principal," Sun Ying explained.
"Thank you very much," Lin Li smiled sincerely.
After the photos were taken, Sun Ying handed another red envelope and said:
"In addition to this, here's a supermarket card with designated items listed on it, such as oil, rice, and noodles. It's an extra reward that Officer Yang helped secure for you from his station. You can thank Officer Yang."
More money!
Lin Li wasn't much of a cook, but this card could easily be exchanged for something valuable. Even a 5% discount would attract people to take it.
"Thank you, Uncle Yang!" Lin Li sincerely thanked Yang Liang again.
Who said Yang Liang's warm-hearted uncle persona was fake?
This was Yang Liang's true nature! If Lin Li ever heard someone say otherwise, he'd argue with them!
───
[Task 2 Completed.]
[You've received the following rewards: Physical Improvement: Charm Resistance increased by 100%, Internal Yang Energy concentration increased by 50%; Low-Grade Spirit Stone 5; System Currency 200.]
[Sacrificing the small self for the greater good, a true hero! You've made a shocking impact for the Demon Suppression Division!]
[The Demon Suppression Division grants you the title of "Pioneer of Demon Extermination." If it weren't for your insufficient cultivation, they would have already promoted you to a local Demon Suppression Officer!]
[You treat me like a national hero, and I repay you as one! With this title, I will continue to practice demon extermination!]
[Now seek out more Hehuan Cult hideouts in the area and help the Demon Suppression Division eliminate them.]
[Time-sensitive task triggered!]
[Task 2: In the next month, identify and cooperate with the Demon Suppression Division to eliminate three more Hehuan Cult hideouts.]
[Reward: Title: Light of Xiling; Random Ability *1; Low-Grade Spirit Stone 5; System Currency 200.]
[Light of Xiling: When equipped, radiates the light of justice. Increases the speed of cultivation in righteous methods by 50%, and decreases the speed of cultivation in demonic methods by 50%. Evil spirits and demons will instinctively fear you.]
Lin Li raised his eyebrows.
Here it comes again?